Inside PlentyOfFish: What’s your must-have date item?

As the world’s largest online dating site, we receive a great deal of feedback from our users about what happens when two people bring their online connections into the real world. Many of these instances now line the walls of the POF offices in the form of success stories, but that doesn’t make that first date any less nerve-wracking and filled with nervous anticipation.

When it comes down to it, dating can be challenging. Here at POF, we experience all of the same highs and lows you do when it comes to meeting new people and putting ourselves out there. So, on a sunny afternoon in July, the POF team came together to share our “must-have” date items that help us put our best foot forward.

Needless to say, the best “must-haves” for a first date come from within, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have a little something extra in your corner to give you a confidence boost when you need it most.

So maybe your next first date will spark an epic love story, or perhaps a whirlwind summer romance. You may find yourself experiencing something new and exciting, or maybe you will end up with a new friend. Regardless of the end result, here’s to enjoying yourself in the process. Here’s to making your next first date, your best first date!

“My music is my date must-have because it’s an international language that we all understand. And chances are, if she likes the same stuff that I do, we’re going to get along. Music provides a great common ground for conversation and can potentially be an excellent filter for those that I don’t want to date. ‘Oh, you like Justin Bieber?…Bye!’ I think one aspect of a great date is that you teach each other something new so even if it doesn’t work out, you gain something. By having a music-based date, you can potentially expand each other’s musical horizons.” – Ben Louie, Advertising Executive

“My perfume is my date must-have because… it’s something intangible for a man to remember me by. I don’t spend hours getting ready for a date. I’d rather seem like I just followed my normal routine and polished it off with the best finishing touch in the world, my perfume. That and I trust the expert: Coco Chanel once said that a woman who wears no perfume has no future.” – Veronica Best, Senior Product Manager

“My date must-have: A good cause! Not only can volunteering be a fun date activity, it also feels great and helps make the world a better place!” – Johnathan Skinner, Mobile Developer

“My date must-have is cute flat shoes! (Just in case he is on the shorter side), and they are super comfortable too, so I’m prepared for anything!” – Sarah Gooding, Product Manager

“Dark chocolate is my date must-have… If the date’s going well you’ve got a nice little treat to share. If it isn’t going to work out, well then you’ve got the chocolate all to yourself. It’s win/win!” – Steve Oldridge, Research Developer

“My awesome multi-print dress is my date must-have because it’s comfortable; I can dress it up or dress it down depending on the activity for my date. It always gets plenty of compliments and it’s hard to not notice!” – Natasha Anderson, Customer Service Representative

“When I’m out with my wife, I never know what’s going to happen. I try hard to take everything I need, my phone, mints, my keys, my sunglasses, clothing with lots of pockets so I can act like a giant purse when needed, but no matter what the wallet has to be there. It’s the weapon against the unpredictable, or what may happen that you didn’t plan for; the modern day equivalent of the sword and armour.” – Omar Sefian, Marketing Manager

“My pup is my date must-have because he’s a very handsome ice breaker, and we come as a package deal!” – Sasha Snow, Customer Service Representative/ Quatchi, French Bulldog

“My mind is my date must-have because… well, I’ll let you use yours to figure that out.” – Nick Raniga, Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

“My Hawaiian Tropic “Shimmer Effect” body lotion is my date must-have because it gives my skin a beautiful glow while simultaneously making me smell like Hawaii for my date with its coconut, island-infused scent!” – Erica Gordon, Executive Assistant

“Flowers are my date must-have because they’re romantic and pure, and are likely the oldest and most natural way of expressing love to a woman! Every time I think of offering someone flowers, I visualize a scene of a young boy giving a flower to a young girl.” – Alan Chow, Accountant

“Sunglasses are my date must-have because:1. Men sometimes look really attractive and hot with sunglasses. ‘With my sunglasses on, I’m Jack Nicholson. Without them, I’m fat and 60.’-Jack Nicholson2. Generally, we don’t encourage people to wear sunglasses in their profile pictures on POF, but they really can be great for a date, and might help you to cover your nervousness by hiding your facial expressions. Better use your persuasive skills to get the meeting moved under sunlight, and say you have sensitive eyes!” – Sa Li – Research Developer

“Listerine PocketPaks are my “must-have” because date food can be treacherous – and just one of these goes a long way! Carrying around a toothbrush to combat a cup of coffee is not practical, and casually chewing bubble gum with a straight face while my date asks what I’m looking for out of a relationship just wouldn’t seem polite.” – Shannon Smith, Advertising and PR Coordinator